Startling and informative opening: Imagine walking up the stairs towards your older brother’s room. Your parents want you to tell him that it’s time for dinner. You hear his loud, angry rock music blaring from down the hall. You open the door and yell (in hopes of being heard over the music) “BRIAN! TIME FOR…” Your voice trails off as you take in the horrifying scene in front of you. Brian is lying on the floor, his fingers loosely curled around a gun, and a bullet wound through his head. A terrified scream escapes your throat. Brian is dead. Quick summary of main question that I mean to answer or reason I think this topic is important: I think suicide is a very important topic in our society because it has become a huge issue. The word “suicide” is almost taboo, yet more people die from it each year. We need to raise awareness of suicide if we are to have any hope of decreasing the numbers of suicides in the future.
Two or three most interesting things I learned from research: 1.More people die from suicide than from war and murdercombined. 2.Currently, religion has become a huge factor in whether suicide is considered right or wrong. In many religions it is believed that each person belongs to God and to kill oneself is to steal God’s property. 3.Most people who attempt to commit suicide don’t actually want to die – they don’t know any better (less traumatic) way to express their emotions. If they are saved, most people are very grateful to still be alive.
Confirmation or rejection of one or two commonly held beliefs about this topic: Many people believe that talking about suicide to someone who is possibly suicidal makes them more likely to attempt to kill themselves – this isn’t true; most suicidal people need to feel like someone cares about them, and talking to them can show them this.
Something to connect the topic to the reader's life so that he/she will care: People ages 14-24 have the highest suicide rate of any age group, which puts most of us in the group with the highest risk.
A closing surprise...intriguing fact, quotation, or discovery from my own research: Dr.Catherine LeGales of the World Health Organization says, “Worldwide, more people die from suicide than from all homicides and wars combined.”
Research Paper Quick Check
Startling and informative opening:
Imagine walking up the stairs towards your older brother’s room. Your parents want you to tell him that it’s time for dinner. You hear his loud, angry rock music blaring from down the hall. You open the door and yell (in hopes of being heard over the music) “BRIAN! TIME FOR…” Your voice trails off as you take in the horrifying scene in front of you. Brian is lying on the floor, his fingers loosely curled around a gun, and a bullet wound through his head. A terrified scream escapes your throat. Brian is dead.
Quick summary of main question that I mean to answer or reason I think this topic is important:
I think suicide is a very important topic in our society because it has become a huge issue. The word “suicide” is almost taboo, yet more people die from it each year. We need to raise awareness of suicide if we are to have any hope of decreasing the numbers of suicides in the future.
Two or three most interesting things I learned from research:
1. More people die from suicide than from war and murder combined.
2. Currently, religion has become a huge factor in whether suicide is considered right or wrong. In many religions it is believed that each person belongs to God and to kill oneself is to steal God’s property.
3. Most people who attempt to commit suicide don’t actually want to die – they don’t know any better (less traumatic) way to express their emotions. If they are saved, most people are very grateful to still be alive.
Confirmation or rejection of one or two commonly held beliefs about this topic:
Many people believe that talking about suicide to someone who is possibly suicidal makes them more likely to attempt to kill themselves – this isn’t true; most suicidal people need to feel like someone cares about them, and talking to them can show them this.
Something to connect the topic to the reader's life so that he/she will care:
People ages 14-24 have the highest suicide rate of any age group, which puts most of us in the group with the highest risk.
A closing surprise...intriguing fact, quotation, or discovery from my own research:
Dr.Catherine LeGales of the World Health Organization says, “Worldwide, more people die from suicide than from all homicides and wars combined.”
Suicide FAQ
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